Chants for the Parishes

By K. D. Smrra The Parish Chant Book, edited by Kevin Mayhew (Cary, 2s 6d.). THE "Parish Chant Book" which Kevin Mayhew has selected and edited under the Cary imprint is a happy idea. It comprises a practical collection of plainsong melodies in modern notation.
Here. to begin with, are 10 Masses and 2 Credo settings. including the familiar Mass 16 with Gloria 15. A good choice this one would have welcomed a caveat such as the Liber Usualis includes. to the effect that "this Ordinary is not meant to be a matter of hard and fast rules". for discreet cross-selection increases the variety this book can provide.
Complete provision for Requiems is made, with psalm-wise tones for
the Gradual plus Tract, and Libera me. Repeat-indications for Introit and Kyrie seem to have got lost.
Also provided are the simple Te Deum; the two familiar "proses" from FranceRorate each (Advent) and Attende Domine (Lent); two short Eucharistic hymns, Ave verum Corpus and Ecce Pants Angelorum: the four Anthems of Our Lady, with their simple melodies; and two other Marian pieces, Ave Maria and Salve Mater misericordiae. The Asperges, Vidi Aquam and Domine salvam fac complete the picture.
Some indication of the ages and origins of the chants would have taken up no extra space and added to the book's interest.
Choir members could well buy their own copies of this slim book, which, with stiffish cover and admirably clear print, is good value for half a crown.